LA Sheriff Wants Advisory-Only Citizens Panel

Jim McDonnell is the new Los Angeles County Sheriff. There have been 31 other sheriffs since 1850. McDonnell heads the largest sheriff department in the nation with some 18,000 employees. He talks with NBC's Conan Nolan about the civilian oversight commission, the over crowded jail and the possibility of a new jail. (Published Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell says he supports the appointment of a civilian commission overseeing his department but says it should be an advisory body only and without subpoena power.

"I don't want to start with that premise. I want to start on a positive cooperative, collaborative arrangement," McDonnell told NBC4.

"I look at subpoena power as something that could cause conflict ... and it is something I don't think we need ... we need to be cooperative," McDonnell said

McDonnell's position puts him in a potential fight with reform advocates of his department.

NewsConference: McDonnell , The New Sheriff Gets Personal

LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell tells NBC's Conan Nolan why he got into law enforcement. "Policing is all about credibility," he says.

(Published Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015)

Several such groups, including Patrisse Cullors of Dignity and Power Now, have demanded the new commission be "legally empowered" with subpoena power.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the first-ever sheriffs civilian oversight panel last month on a 3-2 vote.

The vote authorizes county attorneys, sheriffs officials and the current inspector general to recommend the make up of the new commission and determine what authority, if any, it will have over the Sheriffs Department.

On other issues McDonnell expressed support for finding better ways to treat mentally ill inmates as an alternative to incarceration and said problems at the jail are being addressed.

"We've seen deputy cliques, we've seen a lot of dysfunction and that was the result of failed leadership," he said. "I think once we move forward and set the tone, to reward the right things and punish the misbehavior and misconduct.

"And there is overwhelming support of that within the organization from what I have seen up to this point."

NewsConference: LA County Sheriff McDonnell, "There Has Been A Change"

Jim McDonnell, the new Los Angeles County Sheriff, starts off the year with a lot on his plate. He talks with NBC4's Conan Nolan about the new body cameras, the national debate in dealling with minorities and the change in the rank and file.